Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAFSL)

The country’s apparel industry should look for new business models which could help Sri Lanka get ahead of the innovation curve, a sector specialist recommended last week. Brandix Lanka Ltd. Director Udena Wickremesooriya said Sri Lanka could become an ‘apparel isle’ similar to Silicon Valley by getting ahead of the innovation curve.

One of the world’s largest apparel companies has adjudged the Brandix Group its Global Supplier of the Year across all product categories represented by its global vendor base, presenting Sri Lanka’s single largest apparel exporter with the pinnacle award at the company’s Global Supply Chain Summit.

The Chairman and Executive Committee members of the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) on behalf of its constituent members commended the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution last night. It said it saluted and congratulated President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and all the representatives of the people of the Legislature for showing and proving the existence of democratic ideals and traditions to the global community not just with words but also through deeds. They said the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution augured well for all segments of society and the country in general. JAAF said the consensus reached by the members of the Legislature representing different sections of the political divide clearly demonstrated that each member upheld the trust placed in them by the people to follow democratic ideals and principles of good governance. The 19th Amendment was a pledge made by the incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to the people of Sri Lanka to ensure a new chapter in political freedom, assuring good governance and adherence to the rule of law by strengthening democratic institutions. The passage of this historic piece of legislation cements the journey of Sri Lanka in being an active and practicing democracy and will have a lasting impact on the equality of the people. «We, the apparel industry have and will always be at the forefront for revival and development of the economy. The industry strongly believes that this historic development will be a major steppingstone towards regaining the GSP+ facility from the European Commission which is expected to benefit the entire export community of the motherland and boost the export-centric economic agenda of the country,» JAAF said.

Sri Lanka’s multi-billion dollar fashion manufacturing industry, known to be the largest export revenue maker for the island, is world-renowned for its ethically fortified and environmentally conscious practices. This remarkable industry is also rapidly expanding its strength in design and innovation. As part of the industry’s evolution from an apparel making industry to a design integrated leader in creative innovation, Sri Lanka’s fashion industry is witnessing a boom. More and more local fashion labels, boutiques of hand-made designer wear, runway shows and young designers are also gaining vast recognition for their sustainable practices, innovation and creativity.

At a meeting held last week between the visiting EU delegation and the representatives of the Joint Apparel Association (JAAF) the importance and value attached to the EU market to the apparel industry was highlighted.It was mentioned that in 2014, the apparel industry had exported US$ 2.1 billion worth or 46% of its total exports mainly to the EU.